We are a couple (Gary & Cindy) and this blog will be a journal of our experience retraining a thoroughbred race horse who has come off the track ("OTTB" = Off Track Thoroughbred).

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

June 28, 2010

Gary & Cindy headed to the stables after Cindy got home from work. It was 99F degrees but rather than wait till later and get home too late, they braved the heat.

LBR had just finished dinner when they arrived (the stables are feeding later due to the heat).

Gary brought LBR up from the paddock and they groomed/tacked him up. There were thunderstorms on the west side of Austin (we're on the east side) that thankfully blocked the sun.

Cindy rode LBR in the sand arena and he was FABULOUS. He has the trot thing down now - nice and steady, flexible and ears perked. Cindy cantered him too tonight and that was PERFECT too. They did a few cross-rails before ending the ride with walking/cool down. There was only one other horse being worked in the arena tonight, but it is one that LBR doesn't like (yes - a pony mare). He started off for the first 1-2 minutes paying attention to her, but as Cindy ignored her, so did he...can you say PROUD!!!!

After the ride, Gary rinsed LBR and they returned him to his paddock for treats.

One of the yearlings (there are 5 in a big pasture) had escaped so Cindy & Gary put him back in his pasture with his friends.

When Cindy & Gary got back into the truck, it was still 92F degrees and quite muggy but seemed bearable as the sun was still blocked by the clouds.